We thank Dr Georgios Leontidis (The School of Natural and Computing Science, University of Aberdeen) for his valuable support during the selection and implementation of the ML models, and the two anonymous reviewers for providing useful feedback that helped improve the clarity and soundness of the manuscript. We are also grateful to NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) for funding this project and supporting MV's salary over 10 weeks through their Research Experience Placement programme (DTG reference: NE/S007377/1). The honeybee work that was performed to obtain the sequencing data used in this study was funded by the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant no. 638873 to EL). This funding also supported FM during the execution of the field and molecular work. ; Peer reviewed ; Publisher PDF
El artículo forma parte de una sección de la revista dedicada a experiencias de aula.- Resumen tomado parcialmente de la publicación. ; Análisis crítico de las dificultades que surgen del tratamiento del pasado reciente en la escuela y que derivan del carácter polémico del mismo, de la insuficiencia de recursos, herramientas y materiales didácticos a disposición de la misma, además de la conflictiva convivencia entre historia y memoria. ; Cataluña ; Consejería de Educación, Ciencia e Investigación. Biblioteca; Av. de la Fama, 15; 30006 Murcia; Tel. +34968279685; Fax +34968279835; mjesus.ruiz@carm.es ; ESP
El artículo forma parte de una sección de la revista dedicada a experiencias de aula.- Resumen tomado parcialmente de la publicación. ; Análisis crítico de las dificultades que surgen del tratamiento del pasado reciente en la escuela y que derivan del carácter polémico del mismo, de la insuficiencia de recursos, herramientas y materiales didácticos a disposición de la misma, además de la conflictiva convivencia entre historia y memoria. ; Cataluña ; Consejería de Educación, Ciencia e Investigación. Biblioteca; Av. de la Fama, 15; 30006 Murcia; Tel. +34968279685; Fax +34968279835; mjesus.ruiz@carm.es ; ESP
The paper summarizes the lesson learned from theoretical and experimental activities performed at the University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, in past decades in order to develop a general methodology of analysis of heat and mass transfer phenomena of interest for nuclear reactor applications. An overview of previously published results is proposed, highlighting the rationale at the basis of the performed work and its relevant conclusions. Experimental data from different sources provided information for model development and assessment. They include condensation experiments performed at SIET (Piacenza, Italy) on the PANTHERS prototypical PCCS module, falling film evaporation tests for simulating AP600‐like outer shell spraying conditions, performed at the University of Pisa, experimental data concerning condensation on finned tubes, collected by CISE (Piacenza, Italy) in the frame of the INCON EU Project, and experimental tests performed in the CONAN experimental facility installed at the University of Pisa. The experience gained in these activities is critically reviewed and discussed to highlight the relevant obtained conclusions and the perspectives for future work.
<b><i>Abstract:</i></b> A variety of studies evidenced a relationship between drug use disorders and sexual dysfunction. In particular, heroin and opioid agonist medications to treat heroin dependence have been found to be associated with erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. Controversial findings also indicate the possibility of factors other than the pharmacological effects of opioid drugs concurring to sexual dysfunction. With the present study, we investigated the link between sexual dysfunction and long-term exposure to opioid receptor stimulation (heroin dependence, methadone maintenance treatment, methadone dosage), the potentially related hormonal changes reflecting hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis function and prolactin (PRL) pituitary release, the role of adverse childhood experiences in the clinical history and the concomitant symptoms of comorbid mental health disorders in contributing to sexual problems. Forty male patients participating in a long-term methadone treatment program were included in the present study and compared with 40 healthy control subjects who never used drugs nor abused alcohol. All patients and controls were submitted to the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Child Experiences of Care and Abuse-Questionnaire (CECA-Q) and the Symptom Check List-90 Scale. A blood sample for testosterone and PRL assays was collected. Methadone dosages were recorded among heroin-dependent patients on maintenance treatment. Methadone patients scored significantly higher than controls on the 5-item rating ASEX scale, on CECA-Q and on Symptoms Check List 90 (SCL 90) scale. Testosterone plasma levels were significantly lower and PRL levels significantly higher in methadone patients with respect to the healthy control group. ASEX scores reflecting sexual dysfunction were directly and significantly correlated with CECA-Q neglect scores and SCL 90 psychiatric symptoms total score. The linear regression model, when applied only to addicted patients, showed that methadone dosages were not significantly correlated with sexual dysfunction scores except for 'erectile dysfunction', for which an inverse association was evidenced. Testosterone values showed a significant inverse correlation with ASEX sexual dysfunction scores, CECA-Q neglect scores and psychiatric symptom at SCL 90 among methadone patients. PRL levels were directly and significantly correlated with sexual dysfunction scores, psychiatric symptoms at SCL 90 and CECA-Q neglect scores. Both testosterone and PRL did not correlate with methadone dosages. The present findings appear to support the view of childhood adversities and comorbid psychiatric symptoms contributing to sexual dysfunction and related hormonal changes among methadone patients, challenging the assumption that attributes sexual problems entirely to the direct pharmacological effects of opioid agonist medications.
Summary Although dramatically reduced in Western and developed countries, maternal mortality is still today one of the most relevant social and health scourges in developing countries. This is the reason why high levels of maternal mortality are always interpreted as a sign of low living standards, ignorance, poverty and woman discrimination. Maternal mortality represents, therefore, a very peculiar characteristic of demographic systems of ancien regime. Despite this important role in demographic systems, no systematic study has been addressed to investigate the impact of maternal mortality in historical Italy. The aim of this article is to shed some light on such a phenomenon by investigating its trend over time and the determinants in some Italian populations between the 18th and the early 20th centuries. The analysis will make use of civil and parish registers linked together by means of nominative techniques, and it will be, therefore, carried out at the micro level.
Esse trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar e discutir as principais dificuldades operacionais existentes relacionados à infra - estrutura aeroportuária brasileira atual, visando promover uma reflexão sobre as soluções e suas conseqüências para a realização dos grandes eventos esportivos programados em um futuro próximo no Brasil. Nesse artigo denominam-se, dificuldades operacionais, aos aspectos que dificultam as diversas operações aeroportuárias no Brasil, tais como atrasos de aeronaves, cancelamentos de vôos, desconfortos dos clientes dentre outros que dificultam a satisfação ou impedem o desenvolvimento das atividades aeroportuárias. Diante disso, esse artigo busca uma reflexão sobre problemas como: os espaços físicos (que necessitam de adaptações, ampliações e novas construções), a falta de investimentos, e prazos para soluções e outros problemas que deverão ser sanados para que em um futuro próximo não ocorra dissabores. Com uma análise documental de dados estatísticos coletados por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, são apresentadas as principais dificuldades operacionais do modal de transporte aéreo brasileiro, as opções de solução e a importância das ações para o desenvolvimento social, técnico e financeiro do Brasil.
En el año 2001 el Consejo Federal de Cultura y Educación organizó, a través del Ministerio de Educación de la Nación y en ocasión del 25 aniversario del golpe del 24 de marzo de 1976, un concurso de monografías destinados a estudiantes del nivel Polimodal de todo el país, pertenecientes a escuelas tanto públicas como privadas. La convocatoria, titulada "Concurso nacional de monografías: La dictadura militar. 25 años después del Golpe", reflejaba una inédita voluntad institucional de impulsar una política nacional de rememoración crítica y afianzamiento de las instituciones democráticas. Esa constancia se expresaba en los objetivos de la convocatoria, entre los que se destacan la voluntad de "colaborar con la escuela en la tarea de estimular el ejercicio de la lectura crítica del pasado, la reflexión sobre las causas y las consecuencias del Terrorismo de Estado y la exposición fundamentada de las propias ideas al respecto" así como de "promover procedimientos y actitudes propios del espíritu crítico que integra, en medida relevante, las condiciones subjetivas que reducen la posibilidad de instauración de un régimen autoritario".1 El resultado de la convocatoria fue sorprendente: el Ministerio recibió 1073 trabajos monográficos procedentes de las diversas regiones del país. Si tenemos en cuenta que la gran mayoría de los trabajos fueron elaborados grupalmente, y si consideramos la participación de los profesores tutores en la guía y supervisión de las producciones, podemos decir, a grandes rasgos, que la convocatoria logró involucrar, por lo menos, a unas 3500 personas como mínimo. Si bien es cierto que se trata tan solo de un mínimo porcentaje de la población estudiantil, si consideramos las precarias condiciones de difusión del concurso y la falta de una tradición participativa en este tipo de eventos, podemos considerar que se trata de una cifra bastante alentadora que nos permite sospechar que, efectivamente, existe un interés extendido en el abordaje de esa porción de la historia argentina que, por su cercanía temporal y por sus efectos aún no cerrados, se suele denominar como historia reciente. ; Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación
Purpose of the studyBesides its known effects on bone metabolism, vitamin D may regulate immune function. We performed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test whether cholecalciferol supplementation can improve vitamin D status and modulate immune responses in HIV‐infected children and youth.MethodsCaucasian vertically HIV‐infected patients (aged 8 to 26 years) with vitamin D deficiency and normal parathormone (PTH) levels were randomized into an experimental (n=25) and control (n=25) group to receive 100,000 IU of oral cholecalciferol every 3 months for a total of 4 doses, or placebo. A pre‐randomization period (−3 months) was also taken into account to better model within‐individual variability. Mixed linear regression models were used to evaluate the between‐group changes in the outcomes of interest. The analysis was intention to treat.Summary of results47 subjects completed the RCT. Cholecalciferol supplementation produced an early decrease in PTH levels (3 months) and a later concomitant increase in 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels (6 months), both persisting up to 12 months.The supplementation had no effect on CD4+T‐cell numbers or percentage while was associated with a decreased loge Th1, an increased loge Th2 (*p<0.05), an increased loge Treg (**p<0.01), and and a decreased loge Th17:Treg(*p<0.05).
Month 3 0.5 (−0.1 to 1.2) −1.6 (−3.6 to 0.5) −0.1 (−0.6 to 0.5) −1.4 (−3.5 to 0.7) −1.5 (−3.2 to 0.2) 0.6 (−0.3 to 1.6) −2.5 (−4.5 to−0.4)*
Month 12 0.7 (−3.0 to 1.7) −0.7 (−2.5 to 1.1) 1.1* (0.02 to 2.1) −1.6 (−3.7 to 0.5) 0.3 (−1.2 to 1.8) 1.7** (0.6 to 2.7) −1.3 (−3.3 to 0.7)
ConclusionsIn our cohort, supplementation with oral cholecalciferol was effective in increasing serum 25(OH)D and 1–25(OH)2D while decreasing serum PTH levels, had no effect on CD4+T‐cell count, but was associated with T‐cell phenotype changes mainly favoring Tregulatory subset.
Purpose of the studyVertical transmission of HIV can be almost eliminated by an appropriate combination of preventative measures, which include the use of combination antiretroviral therapy (ARV) during pregnancy, elective cesarean delivery, and avoidance of breastfeeding. Although current ARV demonstrated to be very effective to control virus infection, it has numerous side effects, including negative repercussions on bone mass. Currently there are no data regarding the bone status of HIV‐infected women who received ARV during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate cortical bone status at delivery in a group of HIV‐infected women who received ARV during pregnancy, to monitor the changes occurring during the first year post‐partum and to compare the results with those obtained in healthy mothers.MethodsWe studied 17 HIV‐infected and 55 HIV‐uninfected healthy women within 3 days from delivery, at 4 and 12 months postpartum (median age 36.4 years). The majority (68%) of the HIV‐infected mothers was on ARV containing two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and a protease inhibitor (PI), and 16% was on a regimen containing two NRTIs and two PIs. Other ARV regimens included the use of two NRTIs and one non‐NRTI (10%), one NRTI plus one PI (3%), or two NRTIs and three PIs (3%). The median (range) exposure to ARV during gestation was 14 (5‐35) weeks. The great majority (91%) of the women showed an undetectable viral load (<50 cp/mL) at delivery. Median CD4 number at delivery was 610 (128 to 1415). Cortical bone status was evaluated by quantitative ultrasonography at the mid‐tibia, and bone measurements were expressed as the speed‐of‐sound (SOS).Summary of resultsHIV‐infected women after delivery had a median SOS of 3985 (3567–4242) m/s, while the median SOS of healthy women was 4025 (3643–4250). The difference was not significant (t=0.39; P=0.69). SOS measurements at baseline, at 4, and at 12 months are shown in Table 1. SOS values did not change significantly in the HIV‐infected mothers' group (F=0.02; P=0.88), while they changed over time in the healthy mothers' group (F=0.15; P=0.02). No significant differences were observed between ARV‐exposed and control subjects at 4 and 12 months.ConclusionOur data suggest that ARV during pregnancy and the first year after delivery does not affect negatively cortical bone status and that QUS results are equivalent to those of HIV‐negative healthy women.
Variable HIV‐infected women Healthy women
Subjects (n) 17 55
Age of delivery (y) 33.8 (23.7–40.9) 35.2 (21.8–42.3)
Height (cm) 163.5 (151–173) 163 (150–178)
Weight baseline (kg) 65 (55–92) 72 (53–94)
Weight 4 months (kg) 58 (47–88) 63 (45–93)
Weight 12 months (kg) 59 (50–84) 61.5 (46.5–90)
SOS baseline (m/s) 4089 (3821–4242) 4013 (3070–4215)
SOS 4 months (m/s) 4043 (3814–4337) 4015 (3672–4191)
SOS 12 months (m/s) 4038 (3814–4337) 3958 (3713–4176)
SOS z‐score baseline 1.6 (−1.1–3.0) 0.8 (−2.4–2.7)
SOS z‐score 4 months 1.2 (−1.1–3.6) 0.9 (−3.0–2.5)
SOS z‐score 12 months 1.2 (−1.3–3.7) 0.5 (−1.8–2.4)
Abstract There is a growing awareness that spending time in nature is associated with improvement of well-being; nevertheless, the prescription of forest bathing is still limited. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the physiological and psychological benefits of different forest therapies on healthy and pathological elderly populations (>60 years) to identify the most-effective type, duration, and frequency of these interventions. A search for literature was carried out in December 2021 using PubMed, EMBASE, ResearchGate, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Grey literature was searched as well. After removal of the duplicates, within the 214 articles identified, ten met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the selected studies was rated. Forest walking, alone and in combination with other activities is the most effective intervention. The selected studies reported a positive impact on physical components, including reduction in blood pressure and heart rate and improvements in cardiopulmonary and neurochemical parameters. Favorable modifications have also been noted in the psychological field, with improvements in depression, stress levels and in quality of life perception. In conclusion, forest walking may play an important role in promoting physical and mental health in healthy and pathological elderly populations. However, the lack of high-quality studies limits the strength of the results, calling for more trials.
